Card index



Dec. 20, 1932- R. A. FURLONG ET AL CARD INDEX Filed Nov. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet .l

Dec. 20, 1932. R. A. FURLONG ET AL CARD INDEX 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1928 Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLAND A. FURLONG AND JAMES R. CLARK, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE YAWMAN & ERBE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CARD INDEX Application filed November The present invention relates to an improved forni of card index and'filing system wherein a plurality of cards are suitably mounted in a tray which may be carried in a filing cabinet of proper form. In existing designs, there are various forms of mechanism for securing the card in the tray so that it may be readily removed although preventing accidental dislodging of the card during the normal use of the system. The most essential characteristic of any mechanism of this type is that of holding the card in a position in which it may be inspected readily and any design which is directed to an improved mechanism for holding the card must include the ability of inspecting the cards readily.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the above character which includes an improved means for securing cards in a filing tray, such means enabling the card to be secured quite readily. More specifically, this securing means takes the form of a space bar which is channelled to receive hinge members secured upon the cards and provided with a spring cam on its under side to engage a longitudinally extending rib in the tray. In practice, it is frequently desirable to displace a card laterally or transversely of the tray temporarily, without removing it from the index, thus rendering it more conspicuous and enabling it to be inspected without tracin it among the remaining cards of the tray. Wien a bar is moved transversely of the tray, the spring cam engages the rib to hold the bar securely in such position, the spring exerting an upward force on the bar to hold it against the overlapping flange of an adjacent A further object of the invention is to provide a tray of the above character with a given number of space bars and an improved means for securing the bars in the tray. By means of this construction the tray may be filled to its predetermined maximum capacity with the space bars when it is sold and the necessity for adding additional bars as the system grows is thus eliminated. The securing means for the bars above mentioned is of such character that a simple movement of a cam lever in one direction or another re- 5, 1928. Serial No. 317,179.

leases or sets up the desired compression of the bars.

Further improved features are embodied in the specific form of space bar described and claimed herein and these will be more apparent as the description of the invention proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away of a tray constructed in accordance with the present invention and provided with a given number of space bars. 7

Figure 2 is an end view of the tray shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a View in section, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows. L

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the space .bars shown in Figure 1. I

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the space bar shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view in transverse section, taken on line 77 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows through one of the space bars, showing the manner in which the channel is restricted to engage the card hinge.

Figure 8 is a transverse view, similar to Figure 7 through a plurality of space bars, showing the manner in which grouped cards may be secured in several space bars.

Figure 9 is a segmental view of one iorm of card adapted for use in connection with the space bar described herein.

Figure 10 is a view in section, taken on line 1010 of Figure 9, and looking in the direction of the arrows. o

Figure 11 is a segmental view showing a further form of card and manner of securmg a hinge thereto, the card having three sheets.

Figure 12 is a view in section taken on line 1212 of Figure 11, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing a further form of card with a plurality of sheets.

Figure 14 is a view of the adjacent card to that of Figure 13 disposed laterally in such and 10 is illustrated a single card having se- 5 rection of the arrows.

Referring to the above figures, a designates a tray having side pieces a secured thereto or formed therewith and providing inwardly turned overhanging flanges. Extending longitudinally of the tray, and at either side thereof are strengthening ribs (1 A rib a similar to ribs a extends longitudinally of the tray in its median section and serves to secure the bars in a displaced position as described hereinafter. At one side, and within a side member a may be disposed a longitudinally extending abutment a to position the space bars properly within the tray.

Between the side member a and under their inwardly projecting flanges a plurality of transversely extending space bars I) are secured. These bars are formed at their upper edges with an upwardly inclined flange b upon one side, and a flange b with its outer portion inclined downwardly upon the other side, the downwardly inclined flange of one, fitting beneath the upwardly inclined flange on an adjacent bar to cause the bars to interlock as shown in Figure 8. At the front of the tray, a lock plate 0 is provided, the plate being slidably mounted between the side members a and having engaging lugs c to engage the stop bar adjacent the plate when the latter is moved rearwardly of the tray. On the under side of the plate a, a cam lever 0 is pivoted, the lever having a cam face 0 which engages the end of the tray to force the plate rearwardly and an aperture 0 is formed in the plate to provide access to the lever. In Figure 1, the lever is shown in the position representing that in which the plate has been moved into engagement with the space bars to prevent their removal, the released position of the lever being indicated in dot and dash lines. By means of the above described construction, several space bars may be offset, as indicated in Figure 1, without causing the bars to buckle, by reason of the interengagement of the bars and the tray and the overlapping of the bars. This is of service when it is desired to attach a temporary significance to certain of the cards.

The individual space bars are formed with a channel 72 between the flanges b and If and at either end of the bar this channel is restricted as indicated at 6 in order to confine the card hinge properly. The edge of the channel will be tapered between the wide and restricted portion thereof as indicated at b and thus serve to guide the hinge into the restricted portion. As it frequently becomes desirable to secure cards of different sizes in the same space bar, an intermediate restricted portion 6 is formed. In Figures 9 cured to its oppositesides adjacent its top edgefabric pieces 6, e terminating "in a flexible hinge member e, the edge of which is enlarged as at e for engagement with the slotted holder as will appear hereinafter. Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the different cards are mounted in a single space bar, hinges 11 representing those of a large card while 22 represent those of a small card. Within the restricted portions and struck from the bottom of the channel are upwardly projectingstop lugs b and b the former being in the restricted portions at either end of the bar and the latter in the intermediate restricted portion. The hinges of the cards are introduced into the channels by bending the cards intermediate their lateral edges sufficiently to admit the hinges into the channels. It will thus be seen that the hinges 11 of the large cards are engaged by the lugs b to prevent lateral movement of the card with respect to the bar. Lateral movement of the smaller card is prevented by the lug b on the left, and the hinge of the large card on the right, this construction locking the large card in its position as shown in Figure 4 and necessitating the removal of the smaller card before it can be removed.

The-bottom of the channel 6 is indented under the restricted portions as indicated at 6, thus providing dimples which prevent extreme movement of the hinge in the channel and limit the depth the hinge may enter the channel 5 at the restricted portions 6 and Z9. Upwardly projecting portions, or finger pulls. 6 are at either end of the space bar and provide a means for displacing the bar with respect to the tray or for removing the bar from the tray. Secured to the underside of the channel is a flat spring I) formed withan intermediate shouldered portion 5. Normally, the shouldered portion is at one side of the longitudinal rib a as shown in Figure 4. When the right-hand finger pull 6 is engaged to move a bar to the right, the

shouldered portion 72 of the spring rides upon the rib a and the bar I) is forced up wardly due to the tension of the spring I). It will be seen that this construction securely holds the bars in a displaced position, since the spring urges the bar upwardly against the overhanging flange of an adjacent bar. In removing a bar from the tray, there must be a substantial separation of the nested bars and the bar to be removed must be moved longitudinally of the tray until it has been separated from adjacent bars in addition to being displaced laterally to clear the inwardly extending side members.

As shown in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, cards having multiple sheets may be formed by cutting an opening in a folded card D adjacent its fold cl as at The hinge 6 may be formed with two flaps e and 6 the former engaging the folded card D and the latter excard d while the flap 9 passes through the aperture or cut portion d of the folded card and engages an intermediate card i. The two flaps of hinge h, which lies within hinge 9, also pass through the aperture. (1 of the folded card and are secured to the portions 2" and 2' of another folded card. The lengths of the sheets of the cards described above are such that the bottom sheet of the folded card (Z overlies all of the sheets of the adjacent card save the bottom sheet thereof. This is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, wherein Figure 14 shows a card which has been displaced laterally with respect to an adjacent card, the bottom sheet of the former bearing the number 2840 while the bottom sheet of the latter bears the number 2845. The intermediate sheets which are carried by the latter are covered by the displaced card when the cards are in assembled position in the tray. Figure 8 indicates the relation of these cards to one another as they are carried in the tray.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the improved features contribute to provide a tray of a highly useful character. Although the cards are readily removable they are held securely in place and the mechanism providing this function is of a character highly suitable for use in the servlce for which it is contemplated.

While the invention-has been described in connection with the specific construction shown herein, it is not to be limited save as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a plurality of space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray to permit lateral displacement thereof with respect to the tray whereby certain cards may be moved to a temporarily displaced identifying position, a rib on the tray and extending longitudinally thereof, and means on the bars to cooperate with the rib to secure the bars in a displaced position.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a plurality of space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray with capacity for lateral displacement, engaging means on the tray, and means on the bars to engage the last-named means to secure the bars in a temporary identifying displaced position. 1

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a plurality of space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray with capacity for lateral displacement, a longitudinal rib on the tray, and means on the bars to engage the rib whenthe former are moved transversely thereof, whereby a bar will be urged upwardly with respect to an adjacent bar with increased tension when the former is displaced transversely of the tray.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a plurality of space bars, means to retain the bars in. the tray with capacity for lateral displacement, a longitudinal rib on the tray, and a cam on each of the bars to engage the rib when the former are moved transversely thereof, whereby a portion of the bar will be urged upwardly with increased tension when it is displaced transversely of the tray.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a plurality of space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray with capacity for lateral displacement, a longitudinal rib on the tray, and a cam spring on each of the bars to engage the rib yieldiugly when the former are moved transversely thereof, whereby a portion of the bar will be urged upwardly with increased tension when it is displaced transversely of the tray.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a predetermined constant number of abutting space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray, said bars having interengaging portions, and a lock plate to secure the bars in the tray. I

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a predetermined constant number of abutting space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray, said bars having interengaging portions, a lock plate to secure the bars in the tray and a pivoted lever to operate the lock plate.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a predetermined constant number of abutting space bars, means to retain the bars in the tray, said bars having interengaging portions, a lock plate to secure the bars in the tray and a cam on the underside of the plate.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tray, a predetermined constant number of abutting space bars, means to retain thebars in the tray, said bars having interengaging portions, a lock plate to secure lever pivoted ltt 'tthpae ooperae e the bars in the tray and a cam lever pivoted upon the opposite sides of the horizontal- 11. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body portion, means to secure a card in the body portion, an inclined flange at one side of the bodyportion, and an inclined flange on the other side of the body portion, the incline of the respective flanges lying upon the opposite sides of the horizontal.

12. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body portion having restricted portions along the length of the channel to secure a card in the body portion, an inclined flange at one side of the body portion, and an inclined flange on the other side of the body portion, the incline of the respective flanges lying upon the opposite sides of the horizontal.

13. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body portion having restricted portions along the length of the channel to securea card therein, stop lugs formed on the bar to space the card with respect to the bar, an inclined flange at one side of the body portion, and an inclined flange on the other side of the body portion, the incline of the respective flanges lying upon the opposite sides of the horizontal.

14. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body portion having restricted portions along the length of the channel to secure a card therein, stop lugs formed on the bar to space the card with respect to the bar, means on the bottom of the channel to prevent excessive movement of the card in the channel,'an inclined flange at one side of the body portion, and an inclined flange on the other side of the body portion, the incline of the respective flanges lying upon the opposite sides of the horizontal.

15. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body portion having restricted portions adjacent each end of the bar, and a restricted portion intermediate the ends thereof, stop lugs formed in the restricted portions, means to prevent excess movement of a card in the restricted portions, an inclined flange at one side of the body portion, and an inclined flange .on the other side of the body portion, the incline of the respective flanges lying upon the opposite sides of the horizontal.

16. A space bar for a tray including a channelled body .portion having a restricted portion adjacent each end of the bar, said restricted portions being formed by pressing in the rim of the channel whereby a card hinge may be guided into a restricted portion to be held thereby, and having a restricted portion intermediate the ends thereof, stop lugs formed in the restricted portions to engage the hinge and hold the card against lateral movement in the restricted portions, an inclined flange at one side of the body portion, and an inclined flange on the other side of the body portion.

17. In combination with a plurality of visible index cards carrying hinges, a card holder therefor formed with a channel provided with a plurality of spaced slotted restrictions partially closing the channel at intervals, one of said slotted restrictions being adapted to receive a plurality of card hinges and the others of said slotted restrictions each being adapted to receive one of said card hinges.

18. A- visible index card having a hinge secured to opposite faces thereof, said hinge being formed with an enlarged portion engageable with a channeled card holder.

19. In apparatus of the character described, a tray having flanges at its sides, a card-holding device engaged with said flanges, an abutment engaged With said device to prevent lateral displacement thereof in one direction and cooperating means on the tray intermediate said flanges and on the card-holding device to hold it yieldingly against lateral displacement in the other direction.

20. In apparatus of the character described in combination with a tray having side flanges, a plurality of overlapping cardholding devices mounted in the tray, cards carried by said devices, means engaged by the devices to hold the cards against lateral displacement in one direction, and cooperating means carried on the tray intermediate said flanges and on the devices to hold the devices yieldingly against lateral displacement in the other direction.

This specification signed this 20th day of October, A. D. 1928.

ROLAND A. FURLONG. JAMES CLARK. 

